Hands-on: Netgear's Arlo Baby camera with Apple HomeKit support

The Arlo Baby is a rare beast. Not only is it Netgear's only HomeKit-compatible security camera, it's also the only HomeKit accessory specifically meant to serve as a baby monitor.

Like most iPhone-connected security cameras, the Arlo Baby offers 1080p streaming video, night vision, intercom functions, and motion and sound alerts. You can schedule alerts so that they only go off when it's relevant — say, only when the baby is in his/her crib and the parents are off to bed.

With Netgear's default free recording plan, the camera has a 7-day cloud history, but records only when motion and/or sound alerts happen. Continuous recording costs at least $9.99 per month or $99 per year, though that may be a bit excessive anyway unless you're keeping tabs on nannies and babysitters.

Several features allow the camera to work as a baby monitor. First and foremost, the Arlo app (optionally) supports background audio — meaning you can do other things with your phone and still race over in an emergency. Even without that, the camera can send out unique alerts when a baby is crying.

A built-in nightlight can be set to any color or brightness, and shut off automatically after a certain time. A music player, meanwhile, lets you shuffle lullabies and white noise, or your own recorded voice.

As if that weren't enough, air quality sensors track temperature, humidity, and dangerous gases. This data doesn't appear in the iOS Home app though.

In fact, the vast majority of what makes the Arlo Baby special requires the Arlo app — in HomeKit you can watch a feed, and use intercom functions, but that's it.